The Supremacy of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

- Colossians 1:15-20 -

Every letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the early churches, the letters that we now call books of the Bible, has a major theme. For example, in Romans, it is justification by faith. In Philippians, it is the joy that Jesus brings. In the book of Colossians however, it is the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ over all creation and of the Church.

What we mean by “supremacy” is that which is “above” or “over” others. It reaches the level of the “super”, as its Latin meaning suggests. It refers to the greatest in power, authority, or rank. It is also used to describe the greatest in importance, significance, character, or achievement.

In all these areas of consideration, Jesus is supreme — supreme in power, rank, glory, authority, and importance. He is more than a carpenter, a prophet, or a good teacher. In no uncertain terms, when Christians say that Jesus is supreme, what we mean is that Jesus Christ is God Himself.

Consider these these six ways that, not just the book of Colossians, but all of Scripture teaches the supremacy of Jesus Christ — that He is in fact God Himself.

Scripture Calls Jesus Christ “God” and “Lord”

John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Romans 9:5 calls him “Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.”

Titus 2:13 calls him “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

There are also many instances where the words used for “God” and “Lord" in the Old Testament are applied directly to Jesus. Probably the most staggering example of this is Philippians 2:11, where Paul says that every tongue will “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Here, he is quoting Isaiah 45:23 nearly word for word. And yet the one to whom every knee bows and every tongue swears allegiance in Isaiah 45 is none other than Yahweh Himself, the covenant Lord of Israel. For Paul’s readers, immersed in the language of the Old Testament, this verse could not be any clearer: Jesus Christ is Yahweh Himself.

Jesus Christ Claimed to be God Himself

In the face of blasphemy charges by the Jewish leaders, Jesus claimed His equality and identity with God. In John 8:58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” The Jews understood that He was claiming to be God because “I AM” was God’s way of identifying Himself to Moses. Because they understood that Jesus was equating Himself with God, they picked up stones to kill Him.

Later, in John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” Again, the Jewish leaders attempt to stone him. Why? In John 10:33, the they said, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” In both cases, Jesus denies the blasphemy charge on the grounds that he is speaking the truth.

Scripture Shows Jesus Christ Being Worshipped and Prayed To

Many New Testament passages express praise to Jesus Christ, indicating He is to be worshipped.

In Matthew 2:11, the familiar Christmas scene portrays the wise men saw “the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.”

Philippians 2:11 states that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.”

In Revelation 5:14, when Jesus appears in the throne room, the elders “the elders fell down and worshiped.”

From his birth in a stable to the throne room in heaven, it is Jesus who receives worship, glory, and honor. Further, prayer is also offered to Jesus. Stephen calls out to the Lord Jesus as he is being stoned to death (Acts 7:59–60). Paul also prays to Him that his thorn in the flesh be removed (2 Corinthians 12:8–9).

Scripture Describes Jesus Christ as Creator, Judge and Savior

To Jesus Christ are attributed works God alone can do.

Jesus as Creator

John declares that Jesus Christ is the eternal Word who made all things, who is with God and who is God (John 1:1–18). Not one thing came into existence apart from that Word. Paul echoes this in the book of Colossians and Hebrews 1:1–4 says the same — Jesus made the world and directs it towards his intended goal. These passages also recall episodes in the Gospels like feeding multitudes, controlling the weather, and raising the dead where Jesus accomplishes things only God can do.

Jesus as Judge

In John 5:22–30 Jesus describes himself as the judge of the world. In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus as the Son of God will judge the nations with righteousness. Paul is also emphatic that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Jesus as Savior

The Old Testament stresses that deliverance could only come from Yahweh, not man (Psa. 146:3–6). The name Jesus, announced by an angel, means “savior.” He was to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). His healings demonstrate Him to be the lord of life. Beyond that, He also delivers from sin and death.

Scripture Emphasizes that Jesus Christ was Preexistent Prior to His Incarnation

Scripture relates that God the Son has always existed. It is not that Jesus, a human being, became God. Rather, God, the second person of the Trinity, took on a human nature in addition to his divine nature. The incarnation is not subtraction, but addition.

This is evident in a passage like Philippians 2:6-7: “Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Jesus didn’t give up his divinity, but the status and privilege of his heavenly standing.

2 Timothy 1:9-10 also states that God gave us grace “in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which has now been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Remember You’re Hands

Therefore, Scripture is absolutely clear: Jesus Christ is supreme over all creation as God Himself. A helpful way to remember all the ways the Scriptures speak of Christ’s deity is in the acronym HANDS:

Jesus Christ Shares the Honors Due to God (he receives worship).

Jesus Christ Shares the Attributes of God (holy, righteous, all-powerful)

Jesus Christ Shares the Names of God (Lord, God, Alpha and Omega)

Jesus Christ Shares in the Deeds that God Does (forgives sin, raises the dead, creates the world)

Jesus Christ Shares the Seat of God's Throne